Coupling structure



Nov. 20, 1951 J. F. P. FARRAR 2,575,333

COUPLING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 21, 1944 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 20, 1951 J. F. P. FARRAR Q 2,575,338

' COUPLING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 21, 1944 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 55 g5 v 56 a9 IN VEN TOR Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oFi-icE .GOUPLING STRUCTURE John P. Farrar, Maywoofi,i lll., assignor to Ohicago Metal Hose CorporatinnQMaywnod, 5111., a corporation rofll'llinnis .Applicationillecember. 21, 19.44, 'Serial.No..f569,148

iZfClaims. (Cl. 285- 72) 1 This invention relates to coupling structures, particularly for flexible *metal hose of the "convoluted or corrugated type, and to methods for efiectin'g the fabrication and assembly thereof.

It is an object of the invention to provide a in certain of the coupling parts and particularly Y thefhose gripping and interlocking portions thereof, may be readily fabricated'by a series of stamping operations, and more easily and expeditiously assembled and arranged in operative position upon the hose.

A still'further object of the invention :is to provide .an improved coupling. structure forfiexible metal hose, having positive gripping engagement therewith, and wherein the coupling ,partsand ..particularly the hose interengaging portions thereof arereadilyadaptable toirregularities and variations in the hose size and .in the terminal or end portions of the hose structures.

Various other objects, advantagesandfeatures of theiinvention will be apparent from thefollow- 3 ing specification when takenin connection with the accompanying draw n s wherein certain preferred embodiments are set forth for purposes of illustration.

,In the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to'like parts throughout:

.Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling structure, inone embodiment thereof, and associated "hose end portion; the coupling structure being constructed in accordance with'and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial transverse sectional viewof the structure of Fig. 1, taken as "indicated "by the line 2--'-2 thereof;

j'Fig. -3 is an exploded detail perspectivevi'ew on a-somewhat reduced scale, of the hose interlocking sleeve, forming a part of the coupling structure of Figs. '1 and 2;

Fig. 41s a partial detail perspective view of a die structure, used in fabricating'one of the:.interlocking sleeve-parts;

"Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are detail-views illustrating successive steps in fabricating the clamping "or retainer sleeve, also forming apart of thecoupling structure, the parts being shown-on a :reduced scale;

FigSLQ, '10 and ll-are detail perspective-views illustratingthe-retainer sleeve in various successive-steps'offormation;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal -view,; partly section, ofa coupling structure, and associatedhose portions, as constructed in accordance 'with' a modified embodiment of the invention;

'Fig. I3 is a reduced partial transverse sectional view of the coupling structure of Fig. 12, taken .as indicated "by the line [3-43 thereof;

Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view ofone section ofthe'hoseinterlocking sleeve, as embodied in :the structure of Figs. 12 and 13; and

"Fig. 15 'is-a-reduced illustrative view, showing themethod of fabricating the clamping *or retaining sleeve, in-the coupling structure ofFigs. l2 andi13.

"In the drawings the invention hasbeen shown applied to the fabrication and assembly of a coupling structure for flexible metal hose of "the spirally wound interlocked strip type, as themvention in, certain of its aspects is particularly adapted to hose structures of this character.

'lIt is .to be understood ,howeverthat the inven- .tion,.in various of its aspects, is also adapted for use in the manufacture and assembly of couplingsandfit'tingsfor other types of hose, such for example as other types of corrugated.or con-. volutedfiexible metalhose or tubing having helicaLlannular, or otherwise formed grooves-or corrugations.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and first to the embodiment illustrated in .Figs. l-1-1, ;the coupling structure shown comprises a main :coupling body I'll, Fig. 1., having a tapered threaded end portion 12 and an oppositely -.extending threaded projecting portion [4. .As will be understood, the coupling body may be adapted for-application to'or connection with anysuitable cooperating poupling element or fitting, the attachmentimeans on the :end portion 12,.such for. example 1188 .the screw threads 16, being :determined by' the character of the particularacooperative connection Ollifittillgs to which :thecoupling structure :is fto-be :attached. As best shown in 'tli'ig. :2,:the v iiange. portion 11-8 of :the. coupling body :ispolygonall-y shaped so as to facilitatethe application of the coupling structure to the cooperativefitting-or connection.

noupling'bo'dy extension M is arranged for threaded interengagement with the inner end portion 20 of a clamping or retainer sleeve 22. This sleeve acts as a clamping and retaining means 'for an interloc'k'ing sleeve 24 disposed wi'thinthe retainer sleeve, and arranged to have positive {interlocking engagement with the externalsurface of the hosestructure 26.

aprevicuslyiindicated, in the embodiment illustrated the hose structure is formed of a helically -=wound metal strip, the overlapping edges '28" and '30 of which are shaped for cooperative interlockingengagement. =A helically wound cord of pael-ring' material, as indicated at 32, may -01 may not be provided, depending upon the particular requirements of the installation.

As will be understood, flexible metal hose of this type provides a groove, as indicated at 34, between the convolutions of the strip, emending helically of the hose structure. The interlocking sleeve 24 is adapted to have positive interlockingengagement with this helical groove, and to that end is provided with a cooperative helically disposed rib 36 extending into andv interlocking with the groove. As best shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve 24 more specifically comprises a pair of semicylindrical members, as indicated at 38 and 49, cooperatively shaped so that when they are in cooperative arrangement they form a substantially continuous annular or cylindrical sleeve structure. The ribs 36 on the cooperative members 38 and 40 are so disposed and arranged that when the parts are in cooperative position a continuous helical rib is provided, of a pitch corresponding to that of the hose structure to which the sleeve is to be applied.

The sleeve members are provided with an outwardly turned flange portion 42 at their inner ends, which portion is clamped against a suitable annular packing, as indicated at 44, when the coupling structure is in assembled relation. This packing is adapted to be clamped between the sleeve flange 42 anda conical end face provided on the coupling body extension l4, the packing being thereby forced into tight gripping engagement with the external hose wall, as well as being forced into the hose groove 34. as indicated. at 46, so as to provide a fluid-tight seal. The retainer sleeve is provided with an inwardly turned end flange 48 adapted to engage the outer end of the interlocking sleeve, so as to enable the proper compression of the packing structure, as well as to hold the interlocking sleeve in proper position.

In assembling the coupling structure upon the hose, the retainer sleeve 22 is first slipped onto the end of the hose and moved sufiiciently away from the hose end, to the right as seen in Fig. 1, so as to be out of the way. The interlocking sleeve is then assembled into position by bringing the members 38 and 48 laterally into collective embracing relation with the external hose WalL-at the approximately proper longitudinal position. The packing 44 is arranged in place, and'the retainer sleeve then slid to the left into embracing relation with the interlocking sleeve elements. The coupling body it is then assembled in position, the extension I4 being screw threaded into the retainer sleeve portion 20, the latter being polygonally shaped externally, as shown in Fig. 2, to facilitate the proper wrench engagement. The screw threading interengagement may be continued until the packing is compressed to the proper extent.

Considerable difiiculty has been encountered in providing satisfactory and readily operable coupling connections for hose of the type and kind set forth, due to the fact that in severing the ends of the helical strip by the usual means ragged edges and irregularities are produced which render the hose end 50 irregular and out of size. In accordance with the present construction it will be seen that the inturned flange portion 48 of the retainer sleeve 22 has loose fitting relationship to the hose so that such irregularities do not prevent the application of the retainer sleeve over the hose end. The interlocking sleeve 24, which is adapted to have close fitting engagement with the external hose wall, is applied in sectional form laterally to the hose so that irregularities at the hose end do not interfere with the application of the sleeve. Still further, irregularity or variation in the overall diameter of the hose due to inaccuracy or variability in the coiling of the helical hose strip are compensated for by the sectional characteristic of the interlocking sleeve, the semicylindrical shell portions of the sleeve being separable to accommodate an oversize hose condition. At the same time the interlocking sleeve provides positive interlocking engagement with the hose wall, resisting all end thrust of the hose due to high internal pressures. The parts may be readily assembled, and the packing 44 brought into compressed condition, whereby to provide a fluid-tight and mechanically strong coupling connection for the hose or tubing structure.

In accordance with the invention, the sleeve members 38 and ii] are produced by stamping operations. A die structure suitable for forming one of the semicylindrical sleeve member is illustrated in Fig. 4. As shown, the die structure comprises cooperative lower and upper die blocks 52 and 54, the work piece engaging portions of which are shaped so that the shell-like sleeve member, for example the member 49, may be produced from a fiat sheet metal plate by a single stamping operation. More specifically, the die matrix or block 52 is provided With a troughlike portion 55 adapted to form the main curved body of the sleeve member, and with a portion 5.8 for "forming the flange Q2. The curved die portion 55 is provided with ribs 59 arranged to form the sleeve ribs 35 as an incident to and simultaneously with the stamping operation. For effecting the initial positioning of the work piece, prior to the stamping operation, the die block 52 may be provided with a positioning cavity or recess. as indicated at 62. As will be understood, the working portions of the upper die block 54 are cooperatively shaped to those of the lower die block, to eifect the stamping and shaping of the work piece.

The die blocks for the sleeve member 38 will be similar to those for the member 4i! except for the positioning of the ribs 69, to effect the proper placement of the sleeve ridges 36.

The retainer sleeve 22 is also preferably formed by stamping operations, from initially flat sheet metal stock, as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 11 inclusive. The stamping operations may be generally similar to those set forth and described in the application of Axel Fredrick Johnson, Serial No. 544,572, filed July 12, 1944 is abandoned, and entitled Coupling Structure and Method of Making.

As shown in Fig. 5, the work piece 22, of flat sheet metal stock is first arranged within the positioning recess 64 of a die block'BB, a cooperative die block 68 also preferably being employed to lightly engage the upper face of the work piece and hold it in position. The die blocks. 65 and 68 are provided with cooperative central bores to receive a reciprocable die plunger 70 which on downward movement shapes the flat sheet metal work piece into cup-like form, as indicated in Fig. 5 in dotted lines.

The work piece may be drawn into further elongated cylindrical shaping by means of a die block 72 and cooperative plunger "hi,- as-shown in Fig. 6, the plunger on downward movement being adapted to draw the work piece into the die blocks, as indicated in dotted lines, to ,efiect the further working axial elongation thereof.

5 The work piece, as thus formed, is shown in Fig. 9.

The bottom 76 may then be stamped from the Work piece by means of a die block 78 and cooperative die plunger 80, a shown in Fig. 7. It will be seen that as the plunger 99 is depressed into the recess of the block F9, the bottom it of the work piece is blanked or stamped out, and the inturned annular flange 48 of the work piece simultaneously formed.

The work piece is next operated upon by means as shown in Fig. 8 comprising a die block 82 and cooperative plunger 84, the recess of the die block and the surface of the plunger being cooperatively shaped so as to impart the polygonal shaping to the end portions 29 of the work piece. The work piece, as thus formed, is shown in Fig. 10. Preferably the die block 82 is of the split type to facilitate work piece removal.

The end 29 of the Wflk piece is next internally threaded, as indicated in Fig. 11, to complate the fabrication of the retainer sleeve structure. It will be seen that the retainer sleeve is essentially fabricated by stamping operations, the internal threading of the sleeve bore 29 being the only machining operation required.

A modified structural embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 12-15, which may for example preferably be used with hose and tubing structures of larger size.

The coupling connection illustrated comprises a pair of coupling structures generally indicated by the numerals 86 and 88. Both structures may be of the same construction, so that the detail of only one will be described. Each coupling comprises a main body sleeve 90 onto one end of which is secured a radially extending flange 92 by suitable means such as an annular weld, as indicated at 94. The flange 92 is provided with circumferentially spaced openings for the reception of a series of nut and bolt structures 96-98 by means of which the flange members 92 of the two couplings are secured together in clamping engagement with a gasket I09 to provide a fluid-tight joint.

A smaller annular flange member I02 is secured to a mid-portion of the sleeve 90 by welds I 04, this flange being arranged to provide an anchorage for a series of nut and bolt structures I06 and I08 as shown. A clamping or retainer sleeve H0, functionally similar to the sleeve 22 -in the embodiment previously described is provided in embracing relation to an interlocking sleeve H2, similar to the previously described sleeve 24. locked engagement with the hose, as indicated at 26a, by reason of the mechanical interengagement between the sleeve ribs 39a and the helical groove 34a of the tubing, as in the embodiment previously described. The sleeve II2 may be of stamped sheet metal, formed as previously described, and is similar structurally and functionally to the sleeve 24 except that, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, it is additionally sectionalized, three cooperative sleeve sections being provided as indicated at H4, I I6 and H8, respectively.

The retainer sleeve H9, provided with the intumed flange 48a at one end, as indicated, is in this instance provided at its other end with an 7 outwardly extending flange I20 having openings for receiving the bolts I08 and by means of which the packing 44a is compressed between the flange portion 42a of the interlocking sleeve and the conical end face of the cylindrical body The sleeve H2 is in positive inter- 6 member 90, to eifect the formation of a fluidtight joint.

The manner of forming the retainer sleeve by stamping operations is illustrated in Fig. 15. As shown, the flat sheet metal work piece may be initially placed as indicated in dotted lines, within the positioning recess of a die block I22; a cooperable die block I24 being provided lightly engageable with the upper face of the work piece to aid in holding it in position. Upon depression of the plunger I26 the work piece will be formed into the shape indicated in solid lines. Thereafter the bottom of the work piece may be blanked out, leaving the flange 48a, by die mechanism similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7.

Sleeves 90 and H0 are loose fitting, in respect to the diameter of the hose, whereas the interlocking sleeve H2 is sectionalized for lateral application to the hose wall. The manner of assembling the structure upon the'hose, and its manner of operation, is believed to be obvious from what has heretofore been said with respect to the previously described structure.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A coupling structure for convoluted flexible hose comprising a coupling body member including a cylindrical end portion, an interlocking sleeve including mating sections each provided with ribs interfitting with the hose convolutions, said interlocking sleeve having an outward flange portion axially opposed to the ad jacent end portion of the coupling body member, an annular packing ring between the said flange portion of the interlocking sleeve and the adiacent end portion of the coupling body member and contacting the adjacent surface of the hose, a retainer sleeve overlying and confining said interlocking sleeve and including a radially inwardly extending projection for engagement with said interlocking sleeve, and means interconnecting said coupling body member with said retainer sleeve for axially tightening the same together whereby to compress the annular packing between the flange portion of said interlocking sleeve and the adjacent end portion of the coupling body member and against the adjacent periphery of the hose.

2. A coupling structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially inwardly extending projection on the retainer sleeve consists of an inward shoulder portion backing and abutting the flange portion of the interlocking sleeve.

JOHN F. P. FARRAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 454,647 Hallas June 23, 1891 1,759,224 Dick May 20, 1930 2,090,250 Cowles Aug. 17, 1937 2,357,669 Lake Sept. 5, 1944 2,363,586 Guarnaschelli Nov. 28, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,161 Great Britain June 17, 1912 

